Canadian manufacturing sales rise 1.5% in August as primary metals hit a record

Statistics Canada's Monthly Survey of Manufacturing for August, published on 15 October 2026, shows total manufacturing sales up 1.5% on July to $79.9 billion. The advance estimate published on 24 September had put the monthly rise at 1.1%. On the year, sales were 14.2% higher.

The details

• Primary metals: sales rose 14.0% to $7.6 billion, the highest level on record
• Chemicals: +4.4%
• Transportation equipment: −2.6%
• Subsectors with increases: 12 of 21
• Inventories: $127.7 billion, up 0.2%
• Inventory-to-sales ratio: 1.60, down 0.02
• Unfilled orders: $134.2 billion, unchanged
• Constant dollars: sales were flat, because the Industrial Product Price Index rose 1.3%

Statistics Canada noted that the increase in dollar sales was driven by higher volumes and prices in primary metals.

Reading it

The gain is mostly price and metals, not broad volume. When sales are flat in constant dollars, the increase comes from higher prices, so the figure does not show a broad expansion of factory output. The record in primary metals is the strongest single sector in the release, and the rise in the industrial product price index in the same month (+1.3%) shows prices played a large part.

Statistics Canada's advance estimate for September is scheduled for 23 October. For the monthly labour figures published earlier this month, see the Canadian jobs report. Live prices: USD/CAD.